The Green Mile (movie) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Green Mile |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Frank Darabont |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | Frank Darabont |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Thomas Newman |
| Cinematography | David Tattersall |
| Editing by | Richard Francis-Bruce |
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| Release date(s) | December 10, 1999 (United States) |
| Running time | 189 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $60 million |
| Money made | $286.8 million |
The Green Mile is a powerful American drama film that came out in 1999. It tells a story about kindness, justice, and special abilities. The movie was released on December 10, 1999, in the United States. It features famous actors like Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, and Michael Clarke Duncan. The film was directed by Frank Darabont.
Contents
Discovering The Green Mile Story
The movie takes place in Louisiana in 1935. It's set in a prison called Cold Mountain Correctional Facility. The area where certain prisoners stay is known as "The Green Mile." This name comes from the dark green floor tiles.
A New Prisoner Arrives
The main character is Paul Edgecomb, played by Tom Hanks. He is the head guard in charge of the Green Mile. A new prisoner named John Coffey, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, arrives. John is a very large man.
Despite his size, John Coffey seems gentle and kind. He acts more like a child than a tough person. Soon, Paul and other guards, Howell (played by David Morse) and Stanton (played by Barry Pepper), notice something amazing about John.
John Coffey's Special Abilities
John Coffey can do incredible things. He seems to have healing powers. For example, he brings a dead mouse back to life. These events make the guards wonder about John. They start to question if he could have done the things he was accused of.
What "The Green Mile" Means
The name "Green Mile" is a way of describing the short path. It's the distance a prisoner walks before their final moments in prison. It's a symbolic name for this journey.
Meet the Cast of The Green Mile
The movie features many talented actors who bring the story to life.
- Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb
- David Morse as Brutus "Brutal" Howell
- Bonnie Hunt as Jan Edgecomb
- Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey
- James Cromwell as Warden Hal Moores
- Michael Jeter as Eduard Delacroix
- Graham Greene as Arlen Bitterbuck
- Doug Hutchison as Percy Wetmore
- Sam Rockwell as "Wild Bill" Wharton
- Barry Pepper as Dean Stanton
- Jeffrey DeMunn as Harry Terwillinger
- Patricia Clarkson as Melinda Moores
- Harry Dean Stanton as Toot-Toot
- Dabbs Greer as old Paul Edgecomb
- Eve Brent as Elaine Connelly
- William Sadler as Klaus Detterick
- Paula Malcomson as Marjorie Detterick
- Brent Briscoe as Bill Dodge
- Gary Sinise as Burt Hammersmith
- Bill McKinney as Jack Van Hay
Making The Green Mile Film
How the Movie Was Developed
Director Frank Darabont turned Stephen King's novel, The Green Mile, into a movie script very quickly. He finished the script in less than eight weeks.
The film was shot in several locations. These included Warner Hollywood Studios in West Hollywood, California. They also filmed in Shelbyville, Tennessee, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and the old Tennessee State Prison. The prison sets inside were specially built for the movie.
Choosing the Actors
Tom Hanks and Frank Darabont met at an Academy Award event in 1994. Stephen King, the author of the book, thought Tom Hanks would be perfect for the role of Paul Edgecomb. He was happy when Darabont also suggested Hanks.
Originally, Tom Hanks was also going to play the older Paul Edgecomb. However, the makeup didn't make him look old enough. So, Dabbs Greer was hired to play the older Paul. This was Greer's last movie role.
Michael Clarke Duncan got the role of John Coffey thanks to Bruce Willis. They had worked together on a movie called Armageddon. Bruce Willis introduced Duncan to Darabont. Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal was offered the role of John Coffey but turned it down.
David Morse had not heard about the script until he was offered his role. He said the story made him cry. Darabont wanted James Cromwell for his role from the very beginning. Cromwell was also very moved by the script and agreed to be in the film.
The Green Mile Soundtrack
The official music album for the movie is called Music from the Motion Picture The Green Mile. It was released on December 19, 1999. The album has 37 songs, mostly instrumental pieces by Thomas Newman.
It also includes four songs with singing. These are "Cheek to Cheek" by Fred Astaire, "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby" by Billie Holiday, "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?" by Gene Austin, and "Charmaine" by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians.
Movie Release and Success
Box Office Performance
The Green Mile opened in theaters in the United States and Canada on December 10, 1999. It played in 2,875 movie theaters. In its first weekend, it earned $18 million. It was the second most popular movie that weekend, just behind Toy Story 2.
However, for the entire first week, The Green Mile earned more, making $23.9 million. It stayed in the top 10 movies for 10 weeks. The movie earned a total of $136.8 million in the U.S. and Canada. Worldwide, it made $286.8 million. This was a great success, as the movie cost $60 million to make. In Japan, it was the second highest-earning movie of the year, making $55.3 million.
Awards and Recognitions
The Green Mile received many awards and nominations for its amazing story and performances.
1999 Academy Awards
- Nominated - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role — Michael Clarke Duncan
- Nominated - Best Picture — David Valdes, Frank Darabont
- Nominated - Best Sound Mixing — Robert J. Litt, Elliot Tyson, Michael Herbick, Willie D. Burton
- Nominated - Best Adapted Screenplay — Frank Darabont
2000 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films
- Won - Best Supporting Actor — Michael Clarke Duncan
- Won - Best Supporting Actress — Patricia Clarkson
- Won - Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
- Nominated - Best Director — Frank Darabont
- Nominated - Best Music — Thomas Newman
2000 Broadcast Music Incorporated Film & TV Awards
- Won - Film Music Award — Thomas Newman
2000 Black Reel Awards
- Won - Theatrical - Best Supporting Actor — Michael Clarke Duncan
2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
- Won - Favorite Actor - Drama — Tom Hanks
- Nominated - Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama — Michael Clarke Duncan
- Nominated - Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama — Bonnie Hunt
2000 Bram Stoker Awards
- Nominated - Best Screenplay — Frank Darabont
2000 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
- Won - Best Screenplay, Adaptation — Frank Darabont
- Won - Best Supporting Actor — Michael Clarke Duncan
- Nominated - Best Film
2000 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
- Nominated - Best Supporting Actor — Michael Clarke Duncan
- Nominated - Most Promising Actor — Michael Clarke Duncan
2000 Directors Guild of America
- Nominated - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures — Frank Darabont
2000 Golden Globe Awards
- Nominated - Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture — Michael Clarke Duncan
2000 NAACP Image Awards
- Nominated - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture — Michael Clarke Duncan
2000 MTV Movie Awards
- Nominated - Best Breakthrough Male Performance — Michael Clarke Duncan
2000 Motion Picture Sound Editors (Golden Reel Awards)
- Nominated - Best Sound Editing - Dialogue and ADR — Mark A. Mangini, Julia Evershade
- Nominated - Best Sound Editing - Effects and Foley — Mark A. Mangini, Aaron Glascock, Howell Gibbens, David E. Stone, Solange S. Schwalbe
- Won - Favorite All-Around Motion Picture
- Won - Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture
2001 Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (Nebula Award)
- Nominated - Best Script — Frank Darabont
2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Nominated - Outstanding Performance by a Cast
- Nominated - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role — Michael Clarke Duncan
See also
In Spanish: The Green Mile para niños
